2017 Foxen Winery Pinot Noir Fe Ciega Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills 750 ml

Foxen only made ten barrels of their 2017 Fe Ciega Pinot—and that’s a shame, because we wish every Pinot-lover in the world could try it. Lush but bright, aromatically explosive, and complex as the day is long, it shows exactly why the New York Times’ wine critic dubbed the Sta. Rita Hills one of “the four most interesting areas for California Pinot Noir.”

But with its miniscule production and 95-point score from Jeb Dunnuck, there is WAY more demand for than supply of this Golden State gem. In fact, Foxen only sells this bottling through their tasting room and wine club.

Foxen has long been one of the most respected producers in the region, and founder & director of winemaking Bill Wathen has honed his style over the decades to become a true master of Sta. Rita Hills Pinot. Crafted by Wathen and David Whitehair (who was promoted to winemaker in 2016), this bottle opens with beguiling aromas of candied raspberries, meadow flowers, anise, and dried orange petals. On the palate, it’s got plenty of lush fruit and the perfect amount of tannin and acidity to keep the rich Pinot in balance.

Fe Ciega sits at the very western end of the Sta. Rita Hills, where the fog flows freely over the hills and keeps things chilly until mid-morning. The site’s proximity to the Pacific, thin clay soils over fractured shale, and gentle southern exposure all combine to produce intensely concentrated grapes—and therefore wines.

With this 2017 Fe Ciega, Bill Wathen and David Whitehair have put the majesty of Fe Ciega in perfect focus. Don’t miss what will likely be your only shot at this special Pinot.